Lesley Griffiths AM

South Caernarfon Creameries, welcomed Lesley Griffiths AM, the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs to the Creamery on Thursday 18th January 2018.

The minister had the opportunity to meet with staff and farmer directors of the co-operative before embarking on a full site tour. This included a first-hand look at the creamery’s £12 million investment which incorporates a best in class cheese processing facilty and cheese packing hall.

A highlight of the visit was the opportunity to sample some of the Creamery’s Dragon branded award-winning cheese and butter, which is all made using the co-operative’s farmers’ Welsh milk. Dragon cheese is the number one Welsh cheese brand by retailer sales and the Company is committed in further growing the brand value both in the UK and in International markets.

Speaking after the visit, Alan Wyn Jones, Managing Director at South Caernarfon Creameries said “We were delighted that the Minister took time out of her busy schedule to visit the Creamery. Our famer owned co-operative has made huge capital investments in the last couple of years’ so it is pleasing to be able to show the end result to the Minister, especially as it is the first major new cheese facility build in the UK since the 70’s. The visit also allowed us to talk about our next phase of development plans and the pivotal role that the Welsh Assembly Government can help us to achieve our objectives and continued success for the benefit of our Welsh dairy farmer owners and staff.”

Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “I was delighted to visit South Caernarfon Creameries and to hear about their exciting plans for future growth. South Caernarfon Creameries is a leading dairy farmer owned co-operative and is at the heart of its community and a key contributor to the local economy. It was pleasing to hear how our previous financial support has helped the business develop and expand to where it is today. Our Food and Drink Action Plan has a target to grow the Welsh food and drink sector to a value of £7billion by the year 2020 and I am confident the sector is now in a position to attain this. This has been achieved by putting business at the heart of all our plans in Wales. Investment by businesses such as South Caernarfon Creameries is a key factor in realising this ambitious target”.